Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2007

The Board has granted a rating of 30 percent for recurrent dislocation of the left shoulder, and has found that tinnitus was incurred during active service. The veteran's current claim is denied as his left shoulder disability does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 30 percent.

The Board denied service connection for anemia, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or substantially contribute to his death from suspected sepsis. Therefore, the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death for purposes of VA burial benefits is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of a nexus between his current disabilities and his military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his claim for TDIU. The veteran's service treatment records do not show any complaints or findings of hearing problems during service. Post-service medical evidence shows that the veteran met the criteria for a hearing disability under VA regulations but there is no further pertinent evidence of record.

The veteran's appeal for a higher rating for bilateral tinnitus was denied as there is no legal basis to award separate ratings for each ear.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for acne, an ingrown toenail on the left great toe, tinnitus, a left knee disability, hypertension (claimed as high blood pressure), and bilateral hearing loss. The reasons given include lack of current evidence of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a nexus between current symptoms and service. The preponderance of the evidence does not support the claims for service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and a need for a new VA examination.

The Board finds that the veteran's tinnitus manifested during service and is reasonably shown to be related to his military noise exposure, warranting service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's type II diabetes mellitus, fibromyalgia, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are not related to his military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and assigned a 10% rating, effective March 1, 2004. The veteran's claim was received on February 6, 2004, which is considered the date of receipt for purposes of determining the effective date.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current eye disorder, tinnitus, or right hand disorder and there is no evidence of such conditions during service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of tinnitus or bilateral hearing loss, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain service medical records and other pertinent evidence, including from the appellant's military unit in Vietnam. The claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, and skin disorders are also being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including a VA audiological examination and additional evidence collection.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for recurrent positional vertigo of vestibular origin, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were denied as there is no legal basis to assign a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no verified stressor. The veteran's representative asserts that she has Meniere's Disease with vertigo caused or aggravated by her service-connected tinnitus.